Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-04-27
MR.. HOWARD'S HOUSEKEEPING

MR.. HOWARD'S HOUSEKEEPING
Mr.. Howard was by no means a wealth,
man, but he was in comfortable circnm
stances and lived in neat two-stsrv bricA
house which was tastefullv furnished Hi.
wife was economical and did all the heuse
work h rss thereby vi ing the expense ot
a servant.
81 dent see what you have to do in this
house that Keeps you busy all day." said
MIR. Howard to his wife, one morning al
the breakfast table IL could do every thing
there is to be done in one hour"
'As for cleaning up the house. I could
do it in an hour, answered his wife, shut
there are the children to take care Of"
"Thats no excuse. Let the children
take care OF themselves" said Mr. Howard,
as he buttered roll.
just then the baby, who was up stairs in
his crib, commenced crying. Mrs. Howard
went up stairs and brought him down to
the aiAlEg groom, and sat at the table with
him in her lap,
'Now, what is the use of your spelling
that child in this way?" said Mr.. Howard.
sit would not have hurt him to cry little. -
The baby is hungry" explained Mrs.
Howard, "He has not nursed since three
o'c ock this morning, and 1t is now seven. :"
''It will do him good to get hungry.''
responded Mr.. Howard, shortly.
Now, we won't say that Mr.. Howard
was bad man, or tyrant, for he was Just
| as kind-hearted and indalgent with his
family as any father could be; but he was
little oonceited, and liked to rule, liked to
have everything his way.
''That's the way you fool away YOUR
time all day." said Mr.. Howard, decidedly,
''nursing the baby and perhaps reading
foolish love stories.''
At this Mrs. Howard was ready to cry,
but restraining her tears said: Suppose
you try my work this morning, and let me
try yours"
You couldn't stand the work have to
do this morning." said Mr. Howard, with
pride.
'Just try me once" said his wife.
Every well" was the answer; 81 will
make out a list of work that have to do
from eight to twelve o'cloek.'
Mrs. Howard got her note book and Mr,
Howard gave her the following, which she
noted down:
"First, go to Mr.. C-s carpenter shop
and have him repair the house on A
street: the windows and doors are to be
d.
with the man there and show him what to
do. Second, go to my office and remain
there one hour, receiving and paving bills:
third, go to Rs and see if he has attended
to that work on-street; collect Staniey's
rent and issue a notice for Gibbs to yacate.
believe that is all''
Very well, now | will gave you a list"
Mrs. Howard smiled as she thought how
her husband would attend to her five chill
dren, let alone the housework. The Oldest
OF these five children was six years, and the
youngest two months.
The first thing you must do" COM
menced Mrs. Howard, "is to hang the chill
dren's beds out to sun; then wash the
dishes, sweep the dining-room, set the
table for dinner and darken the dining
room. Next clean up the kitchen and sweep
the porch and bricks; in the meantime
keep an eye on the children that they don't
kill themselves or each other.
"Then go up stairs, take Robert and Guy
with you, make the beds, sweep the rooms,
dust the furniture wipe up the hearth, and
also wipe Off the mantel, empty the slop-
bucket and clean the washbowl and pitcher
After that is done. wash aud dress the baby
and put him to sleep. Wash Robert and
Guy, and let them go out doors to play
Then wash cut a few things for the baby, |
put dinner on, and while it is cooking iron |
those few things for baby"
Mrs. Howard arose from the table, went
up stairs and dressed for the street. After |
she had gone Mr.. Howard smiled to think |
how soon he was going to get through with |
his wife's work. He managed to get the
children's beds out to air, profiting by the |
of Ada, the eldest child Then
no HiSha
Mrs. Howard's apron, which she had laid |
out for him to wear. Such another racket
among dishes and spiashing water, regard
less of trousers and stiff shirt besom, was
never heard.
The children left their play and ran in to
see the fun. Guy, who is fourteen months
old, climbed on chair; Mr.. Howard pulled
him down and turned to his fight with the
dishes. Robert, who is little over two
years old, climbed on tho table and turned
the caster over. While Mr.. Howard was
taking him down, little Guy, anxious to
lind out things, pulled the dish pan over
and nearly drowned himself with its con-
Ients. Then he commenced yelling at the
top of his voice. Robert bumped his head
by slipping down in The greasy dish-water,
and engaged in prolonged howl. To add
to the music, the baby set up tremendous
wall.
Mr.. Howard took the children up stairs.
He put dry dress on Guy, but put it on
him wrong side out aud ths hind part be-
fore. Still they kept up their yelling.
"Confeund it! Can't you stop that
noise?'' he thundered.
At this juncture, johnnie, who is four
years old, came in crying with his finger
bleeding. MIR. Howard tied it up and sent
him about his business.
'1'll clean up the room," thought Mr..
Howard, 'tand leave those miserable dishes
till the children are out of tine way"
He commenced turning thi ugs around |
the room.
81 don't see why Kate can't put her
clothes away, and not leave them lying
around on the floor like this. I always
put mine away" he muttered. But when |
be began gathering them up, he found that
not one of the articles belonged to his wife.
He soiled shirt was in one place, collar in
another, and SO on. By this time Robert
and Guy were getting sleepy, and they
began pulling at their papa. He tried to
get them away from him, but they clung
the closer.
"Ada, can't you stop thatssbaby's yell
ing?" he loudly shouted.
Ada got some Boiled milk, and Mr..
Howard fed it to the little fellow and he
soon went to sleep, much to his papa's re-
lief But Robert and Guy kept up an in
cessant strain of sebs and screams.
"Will you never stop?" cried thesfa ther,
who was thoroughly aroused. "I'll go |
down stairs and leave you up here by your |
selves" and he started down stairs. The |
fearing he would leave them by
started after him--Ada, John |
ME, Robert and Guy-all of them crying.
''StOp that noise, or will leave you and |
go up town!' At th is the children cried
the harder. Mr.. Howard sat down on the
top step of the stairs and watched his chill
dren cry.
'sIf wasn't a man, I'd join in your con-
cert" said he.
They stood around, poking their little
fists in their eyes, and sobbing at intervals.
1t was now half-past ten.
"Well, y thought Mr.. Howard, 81 might
as well sit here until Kate comes, md watch
these Youngsters to keep them from getting
away"